A Journey through the Soul of France!

Bonjour from our captivating journey through France! Over the course of 10 magical days, we immersed ourselves in the essence of this beautiful country, from the iconic landmarks of Paris to the charming streets of Colmar. Let’s embark on a detailed exploration of each day’s adventures:

Miscellaneous Trivia:

• France experiences a temperate climate with distinct seasons: spring, summer, autumn, and winter.
• The official currency of France is the Euro (€).
• French is the official language of France, with regional languages spoken in specific areas.
• France shares borders with Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, Andorra, and Monaco.
• The population of France is approximately 65 million people.
• France is in the Central European Time (CET) zone, with a time difference of 3.5 to 4.5 hours behind India depending on daylight saving time.
• Iconic landmarks in France include the Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum, Notre-Dame Cathedral, Palace of Versailles, and Mont Saint-Michel.
• France is renowned for its wine regions such as Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne, and Provence.
• France has a well-developed transportation network, including high-speed trains (TGV) and Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris as a major international hub.

Flights to & fro Mumbai to Paris – Air France

Travel Insurance – ICICI Lombard

Paris Hostel – Aloha Eiffel Tower by Hiphophostels for 5 nights – 22nd Mar – 27th Mar

Colmar Apartment – Résidence Pierre & Vacances La Petite Venise for 2 nights – 27th Mar – 29th Mar

Paris Hostel – Aloha Eiffel Tower by Hiphophostels for 2 nights – 29th Mar – 31st Mar

Day 1 – 22nd March 2024: Arrival in Paris

Our excitement for the trip began on 21st March night with leaving home for the Mumbai airport, and after a smooth ride with Uber, we reached the airport. We satiated our hunger by having Burrito Bowls and Mango Juice at the New York Burrito Co.

Upon arriving in Paris on the morning of 22nd March via a direct Air France flight, the excitement of being in the City of Lights and Love was palpable, marking the beginning of our 9-day exploration of France.

Our first taste of Parisian delights included indulging in a classic breakfast of coffee and croissant at Paul within the Paris airport, where we savored the rich flavors of chocolate croissants and aromatic coffee.

Following breakfast, we boarded a train from the airport to our hostel, stopping along the way at Secco for pastries and espresso. Upon reaching our hostel and completing check-in procedures, we refreshed ourselves and embarked on our Parisian adventure.

Our first stop was the iconic Eiffel Tower, where we marveled at its grandeur and captured memorable photographs. To refuel, we enjoyed a meal of bread and a Mexican bowl at Franprix.

Next, we headed to the renowned Louvre Museum, where we delighted in street-side strawberry and nutella crepes and waffles before immersing ourselves in the museum’s vast art collection, including the renowned Mona Lisa.

Concluding our day of exploration, we returned to the hostel via bus, picking up some cashews and water from a nearby supermarket along the way.

Day 2 – 23rd March 2024: A Day of Regal Splendor at Versailles

On our second day, we ensured seamless connectivity throughout our trip by obtaining Syma and Lyca SIM cards. Our day’s highlight was a visit to the magnificent Palace of Versailles, for which we purchased train tickets at the station.

While waiting at the tram station, we indulged in a Snickers bar and a coffee. To enrich our experience at the palace, we acquired an audio guide. Lunch was a delightful affair at Angelina within the palace premises.

Navigating the expansive gardens was made convenient with a Hop-On Hop-Off train pass that we acquired there. Before departing for Paris, we relished snacks at the Grand Cafe.

Additionally, we secured train tickets to Galleria Lafayette and picked up 2 Eiffel Tower keychains as souvenirs from a street shop near the mall. Our evening concluded with an Indian dinner at Gandhi Ji’s restaurant, followed by a return journey to the hostel via train.

Day 3 – 24th March 2024: Exploring Paris

We began our day by acquiring a convenient day pass for trains and buses at the train station. Our initial destination was the iconic Arc de Triomphe rooftop, where we marveled at the breathtaking panoramic views of Paris.

We then proceeded to have lunch at IL Grano, an esteemed Italian restaurant. While at the train station, we were treated to a delightful musical performance by a talented musician and grabbed a quick snack of Pringles.

Later in the day, we visited the picturesque Pont Alexandre III bridge, where we indulged in cappuccinos and café cremes at Cafe’s Richard 1892.

We had booked a one-hour evening cruise online and enjoyed the experience on the river Seine with the sparkling Eiffel Tower as our backdrop. Wrapping up our day, we enjoyed a flavorful Indian dinner at the Pakistani restaurant New Jawad.

Day 4 – 25th March 2024: Disneyland – Where Dreams Come True!

We spent the entire day at Disneyland, having booked our tickets online for both the parks. Our journey included round trip train tickets, anticipating a day brimming with laughter, fun, and cherished memories. The day at Disneyland and Walt Disney Studios Park was nothing short of magical and full of excitement.

We were enthralled by an array of captivating shows and exhilarating rides. We marveled at the Disney Electrical Sky Parade, found ourselves enchanted by A Million Splashes of Colour, and were utterly spellbound by performances like Mickey and the Magician, The Lion King: Rhythms of the Pride Lands, Frozen: A Musical Invitation, Disney Stars on Parade, Disney Dreams and Stitch Live!

As evening descended, we savored delectable burgers, chitos and coffee at one of Disneyland’s eateries, relishing the vibrant ambiance and scrumptious food. All in all, it was a day of joy, adventure, and unforgettable moments, truly making our Disneyland visit a magical experience.

Day 5 – 26th March 2024: Exploring Montmartre’s Artistic Charm

It was drizzling throughout today, but that didn’t dampen our spirits as we embarked on a day filled with delightful experiences and culinary indulgences.

We started our day leisurely, owing to the rain, with a delectable lunch at Take Otac, renowned for its Latin street food. This was followed by a cozy stop at Les Delices De Pasteur for coffee and pastries, perfect for the weather.

As the rain persisted, we made our way to Montmartre, where we wisely invested in umbrellas and savored more warm coffee at La Maison Milie.

Ascending to Sacré-Cœur Basilica, we were treated to panoramic views of Paris, a sight made even more enchanting by the rain-kissed cityscape. After taking in the breathtaking vistas, we descended into the charming streets of Montmartre, indulging in street food delights and immersing ourselves in the bohemian atmosphere.

One of the memorable stops during our Montmartre exploration was the lock bridge near the basilica, where we marveled at the love locks adorning the bridge, each symbolizing a unique love story. It was a romantic and picturesque moment in the heart of Paris.

As evening approached, we relished a hearty pizza dinner at Le Petit Comptoir before treating ourselves to a heavenly Nutella and Strawberry crepe. A shot of Espresso at Jin Yi Fa added the perfect touch to our evening.

Our stroll through the charming streets of Montmartre led us to Bachir, where we couldn’t resist trying their lemon gelato with pistachio topping, a delightful indulgence for any sweet tooth.

The day concluded with a train ride back to Paris, followed by an enchanting evening at Crazy Horse, a cabaret show we had pre-booked online. The tastefully done performance and accompanying drinks made for a memorable end to our rain-soaked yet delightful day in Paris.

Day 6 – 27th March 2024: Exploring the prettiest villages of France (Part I)

Our day began with arranging baggage deposit at our hotel before indulging in a delightful breakfast at Paul, setting the tone for a day filled with exploration and culinary adventures.

Afterward, we embarked on a train journey, soaking in the scenic views along the way. Our destination was Colmar, where we treated ourselves to a flavorful lunch at Le Maharaja, savoring the diverse culinary offerings of the region.

Upon reaching our hotel in Colmar, we settled in and took it easy for the day, relaxed for a while before enjoying a scrumptious dinner at Hotel Palmyre, concluding the day with a satisfying culinary experience.

Overall, it was a day of gastronomic delights and travel discoveries, adding more richness to our journey.

Day 7 – 28th March 2024: Exploring the prettiest villages of France (Part II)

Our day commenced with a delightful array of pastries at Gilg, setting the stage for a day filled with culinary delights and exploration.

We fueled up with a refreshing coffee from a local supermarket before indulging in strawberry nutella crepes in the charming town of Colmar, adding a touch of sweetness to our morning. The whole town was decorated and bustling with pre-easter celebrations.

Lunch took us to Chamas Tacos, where we savored flavorful dishes that satisfied our taste buds. Post lunch, we embarked on a journey to another beautiful village Eguisheim, utilizing our bus and bolt tickets, immersing ourselves in the quaint beauty of the village for a good few hours.

We had a coffee break at Edel restaurant in Eguisheim which was really good. Lastly, we ventured to explore Riquewihr, enjoying a scenic bolt ride through picturesque landscapes. In Riquewihr, we roamed around and sampled different types of cheese and treated ourselves to strawberry gelato and coffee, a perfect combination of flavors amidst the town’s enchanting ambiance.

We also picked up charming souvenirs including a magnet and postcard to remember our time in the region. Our return journey to Colmar was via bus, and the day concluded with a delectable dinner at Le Maharaja, complemented by a bottle of Pinot Noir dry red wine, adding a touch of elegance to our culinary experience.

Day 8 – 29th March 2024: Enchanting and Royal Paris

Our day began with a satisfying breakfast at Colmar station, setting the tone for a day filled with travel and culinary experiences.

As we embarked on our journey, we couldn’t resist picking up some local chocolates and a snack of Doritos at the station to enjoy along the way.

Arriving in Paris, we indulged in a delightful pastry and coffee at Secco, immersing ourselves in the city’s vibrant atmosphere.

Our next stop was the iconic Eiffel Tower for the sunset, capturing unforgettable moments against the backdrop of this landmark.

We enjoyed a delicious Indian dinner at Berkeley Garden, savoring mouth watering dishes that satiated our taste buds.

Later in the night, we made our way to Paradis Latin, where we enjoyed a captivating musical cabaret performance with a bottle of champagne.

Overall, it was a day filled with travel adventures, culinary delights, and cultural experiences, adding more layers to our journey.

Day 9 – 30th March 2024: Day trip to historic Normandy

On the ninth day of our journey, we embarked on a historical day trip from Paris to Normandy with Klook. Our pick up point was Hyatt Regency for our excursion to Normandy. Along the way, we made a delightful pit stop at a local supermarket for snacks and coffee.

Our adventure took us to the historic D-Day beaches, where we learned about the pivotal role they played in WWII. We visited the poignant Colleville-sur-Mer Cemetery, paying tribute to the fallen American soldiers. At Pointe du Hoc, we explored the German defense point captured by Allied forces.

To top it off, we indulged in a cider tasting at an orchard, savoring some of Normandy’s finest cider. A delicious two-course French lunch added to the day’s charm, making this trip an absolute must for history enthusiasts exploring France.

As the day wound down, we indulged in a memorable Indian dinner at Kirane’s restaurant in Paris, savoring every bite of the exquisite cuisine.

Day 10 – 31st March 2024: Au revoir France

On day ten, we bid farewell to Paris with a train ride to the airport. Before our flight to Mumbai, we enjoyed a delightful breakfast at Eric Kayser at the Paris airport and picked up some chocolates from Hennessy to share with our friends and family, ending our journey on a sweet note.

As our 10-day journey through France came to a close, we were filled with unforgettable memories of vibrant cities, cultural richness, and historical wonders. From Parisian romance to the poignant landscapes of Normandy, each moment was a testament to France’s allure. We savored exquisite cuisine, immersed ourselves in art and history, and formed lasting bonds. Until next time, France – au revoir!